If you're under 18, you may or may not have to tell a parent in order to get an abortion — it all depends on the laws where you live.

Some states don't have any laws about telling your parents or getting their permission. But some states say you have to get permission from a parent or older family member to have an abortion. Other states don’t make you get permission, but your parents will have to know that you’re getting an abortion.

A judge may be able to excuse you from having to tell your parents or get their permission — this is called "judicial bypass".

The exact rules are different in different places. Find information on parental involvement in your state below.

And know that you’re not alone. If you’re pregnant and want to have an abortion, call your nearest Planned Parenthood health center as soon as possible. They can help explain the laws in your state, let you know what your options are, and give you tips on talking with your parents.

It's important to take action right away. Abortion is very safe, but there are more risks the longer you wait. There are also time limits on abortion in some states. And if you need a judicial bypass, it can take a while to get through the process.

Alabama

Your state requires that one of your parents give permission for your abortion. A judge can excuse you from this requirement.

Alaska

Your state requires that one of your parents be told of your decision 48 hours before your abortion. A judge can excuse you from this requirement.

Arizona

Your state requires that one of your parents give permission for your abortion. A judge can excuse you from this requirement.

Arkansas

Your state requires that one of your parents give permission for your abortion. A judge can excuse you from this requirement.

California

No parental involvement requirement.

Colorado

Your state requires that one of your parents be told of your decision 48 hours before your abortion. A judge can excuse you from this requirement. If you do not live with your parents, but you live with a grandparent, or an adult aunt or uncle, the adult relative you live with may be told in place of your parents.

Connecticut

No parental involvement requirement.

Delaware

If you are under 16, your state requires that one of your parents, a grandparent or a mental health professional be told of your decision 24 hours before your abortion. A judge can excuse you from this requirement.

District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.)

No parental involvement requirement.

Florida

Your state requires that one of your parents be told of your decision 48 hours before your abortion. A judge can excuse you from this requirement.

Georgia

Your state requires that one of your parents be told of your decision 24 hours before your abortion. A judge can excuse you from this requirement.

Hawaii

No parental involvement requirement.

Idaho

Your state requires that one of your parents give permission for your abortion. A judge can excuse you from this requirement.

Illinois

Your state requires that one of your parents, a step-parent living in the household, or a grandparent be told of your decision 48 hours before your abortion. A judge can excuse you from this requirement.

Indiana

Your state requires that one of your parents give permission for your abortion. A judge can excuse you from this requirement.

Iowa

Your state requires that one of your parents or a grandparent be told of your decision 48 hours before your abortion. A judge can excuse you from this requirement.

Kansas

Your state requires that both of your parents give permission for your abortion. If your parents are separated or divorced, only the parent with custody needs to give permission. A judge can excuse you from this requirement.

Kentucky

Your state requires that one of your parents give permission for your abortion. A judge can excuse you from this requirement.

Louisiana

Your state requires that one of your parents give permission for your abortion. A judge can excuse you from this requirement.

Maine

No parental involvement requirement.

Maryland

Your state requires that one of your parents be told of your decision before your abortion, unless you do not live with either parent and a reasonable effort to give notice is unsuccessful. A doctor can excuse you from this requirement.

Massachusetts

Your state requires that one of your parents give permission for your abortion. A judge can excuse you from this requirement.

Michigan

Your state requires that one of your parents give permission for your abortion. A judge can excuse you from this requirement.

Minnesota

Your state requires that both of your parents be told of your decision 48 hours before your abortion. A judge can excuse you from this requirement.

Mississippi

Your state requires that both of your parents give permission for your abortion. A judge can excuse you from this requirement. If your parents are separated or divorced, only the parent with primary custody must consent.

Missouri

Your state requires that one of your parents give permission for your abortion. A judge can excuse you from this requirement.

Montana

If you are under 16, your state requires that one of your parents be told of your decision 48 hours before your abortion. A judge can excuse you from this requirement.

Nebraska

Your state requires that one of your parents give permission for your abortion. A judge can excuse you from this requirement.

Nevada

No parental involvement requirement.

New Hampshire

Your state requires that one of your parents be told of your decision 48 hours before your abortion. A judge can excuse you from this requirement.

New Jersey

No parental involvement requirement.

New Mexico

No parental involvement requirement.

New York

No parental involvement requirement.

North Carolina

Your state requires that one of your parents, or a grandparent with whom you have lived for at least six months immediately preceding the abortion, give permission for your abortion. A judge can excuse you from this requirement.

North Dakota

Your state requires that both of your parents give permission for your abortion. A judge can excuse you from this requirement.

Ohio

Your state requires that a parent, a step-parent, grandparent, or sibling age 21 or older give permission for your abortion. A judge can excuse you from this requirement.

Oklahoma

Your state requires that one of your parents be told of your decision at least 48 hours before the abortion takes place, and give permission for the abortion. A judge can excuse you from these requirements.

Oregon

No parental involvement requirement.

Pennsylvania

Your state requires that one of your parents give permission for your abortion. A judge can excuse you from this requirement.

Rhode Island

Your state requires that one of your parents give permission for your abortion. A judge can excuse you from this requirement.

South Carolina

If you are under 17, your state requires that one of your parents or a grandparent give permission for your abortion. A judge can excuse you from this requirement.

South Dakota

Your state requires that one of your parents be told of your decision 48 hours before your abortion. A judge can excuse you from this requirement.

Tennessee

Your state requires that one of your parents give permission for your abortion. A judge can excuse you from this requirement.

Texas

Your state requires that one of your parents give permission for your abortion, and separately that one parent be told of your decision 48 hours before the abortion takes place. A judge from your county (or a neighboring county, if fewer than 10,000 people live in your county) can excuse you from both of these requirements.

Utah

Your state requires that one of your parents give permission for your abortion, and separately that one parent is notified of your decision 24 hours before the abortion takes place. Through the judicial bypass process a judge may excuse you from one or in some cases both of these requirements, depending on your situation.

Vermont

No parental involvement requirement.

Virginia

Your state requires that one of your parents or a grandparent or adult sibling with whom you live give permission for your abortion, and separately that one parent or a grandparent or adult sibling with whom you live be told of your decision 24 hours before the abortion takes place. A judge can excuse you from both of these requirements.

Washington

No parental involvement requirement.

West Virginia

Your state requires that one of your parents be told of your decision 24 hours before your abortion. A judge or a doctor, other than the doctor who will perform the abortion, can excuse you from this requirement.

Wisconsin

Your state requires that one of your parents; a foster parent; a grandparent; or an aunt, uncle, or sibling who is at least 25 years old give permission for your abortion. A judge can excuse you from this requirement.

Wyoming

Your state requires that one of your parents be told of your decision 48 hours before your abortion and give permission for the abortion. A judge can excuse you from these requirements.